Feedbunk soaking system

ABSTRACT

A system may provide for delivering a sequence of one or more soaking sprays at a station where an animal is present. The station may include a pressurized pipe supplying a liquid for the soaking spray, a valve and nozzle coupled to the pipe, and a control circuit coupled to the valve. The control circuit may be operable to determine the sequence of the soaking spray using a signal from an animal sensor that is configured to detect the presence of the animal at the station. The system may include an environmental sensor providing at least one signal to the control circuit. The signal from the environmental sensor may be used by the control circuit to determine the sequence for the soaking spray.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to systems and methods for cooling livestock toimprove the animals' health and productivity. More specifically, thedisclosed embodiments relate to improved methods for automatic controland delivery of soaking water, in systems which can sense and soakanimals individually at a station and/or at each of a series ofstations.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for improving thecondition of livestock animals individually, in particular the animal'scomfort over a range of temperature and humidity and in different phasesof the animal's feeding and reproductive cycles, while conservingcooling water and water run-off in an efficient manner. These systemsand methods may have application for many types of livestock and in anyenvironment, and the present disclosure primarily discusses theirapplication to dairy cows in a temperate, warm, or hot climate.

Dairy cows typically prefer, and are most productive in, a cool climate,e.g., about 40-45° F. with moderate humidity. However, dairy farms alsooperate in climates that are constantly, or that have at leastconsiderable periods, above such temperatures, which may also becombined with high humidity. Dairy cows in warmer and more humidclimates may be stressed and such stress generally increases the moretemperature and humidity increase. Dairy cows in these conditions canbenefit from water periodically applied by an overhead spray to thecows' back, neck, and head, which cools the cows, reducing the cows'distress. The cows' improved comfort in turn increases milk production,both directly and due to increased appetite and feed consumption, andalso can improve reproductive rates.

Existing systems for soaking dairy cows with water typically provide apipe routed above the cows along a feed line with nozzles positioned ateach feed station to soak the cows' backs. The controls for the pipetypically include only a single valve for turning on all the nozzles sowater is delayed in spraying out the nozzles while the pipe pressurizes.Such systems may provide for control over the timing and length of theon cycles, such alternately turned on from 1 to 3 minutes, then off for5 to 15 minutes, but lack individual-stall controls.

Dairy cows do not dissipate heat from their bodies effectively bysweating, so water applied over a large portion of the cows' bodies hasbeen shown to be effective in improving heat dissipation, both from theheat sink of water applied at a lower temperature than the cows' bodytemperature and by evaporative cooling. Preferably, this cooling istimed to precede and/or coincide with the cows' eating, because they eatmore when cooler, but existing systems do not necessarily provide suchtiming.

Dairy cows generally feed several times a day (e.g., 10-12 times) andthey choose for themselves the timing and optimally feed for about30-minutes at a time. The system that cycles on for 1 to 3 minutes andthen off for 5 to 15 minutes, in a generally fixed pattern and for thefull length of one or more feedlines, will, for some cows, turn on laterthan optimal and not provide enough water, depending on the individualcows' self-determined arrival and feeding times. This also means that atsome feed stations, the system will spray water not onto a cow thatwould carry it around while it evaporates, but will instead go directlyinto the waste water run-off system. This is inefficient in terms of theamount of water used, the amount of waste water produced, and thefailure to cool some cows. Additionally, the water spraying where noanimal is present is more likely to drift onto the feed, which can leadto spoilage. Some farmers, to avoid this overuse and waste, will operatethe cooling system for a smaller portion of the day, to the detriment oftheir cows' comfort and productivity.

Examples of systems for spraying water on livestock are disclosed inU.S. Patent/Publication Nos. 20160135428, 3032011, 3884192, 4165715,4476809, 4567856, 4580529, 6568352, 6578828, 6675739, 7360503, 8397677,8881998, and 9339009. The disclosures of these and all otherpublications referenced herein are incorporated by reference in theirentirety for all purposes.

Some of these references describe attempts to control a spray atindividual feed stalls, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,032,011 and 3,884,192but these fail to provide an effectively timed cooling-water spray in amanner that would improve the cow's stress level and feed consumption.The U.S. Pat. No. 3,032,011 disclosure describes applying insecticide toa cow “in response to lowering of the cow's head for feeding, or lickingsalt, from a feedbox or manger” as detected by a mechanical switchpushed by the cow's head. Insecticide generally does not cool the cowand may have a negative effect on feeding. Additionally, using the cow'slowering her head to feed would provide disadvantageous timing of acooling spray because the application of the cooling spray is whatencourages the cow to eat. The mechanical switch is also subject to wearand fouling from direct contact with the cow.

The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 3,884,192 recognizes the problems withautomatic sprayer devices being “so constructed that in their operationthey frighten cattle due to excessive moving of components,” and “thatcattle cannot step very high, or at least are reluctant to do so,” butnonetheless require the cow to step up onto a platform that depressesbeneath the cow's weight. Such a system, including its mechanical switchbeing located on the barn floor where it is susceptible to the water andwaste present there, is impractical for actual, regular use.

The system of the present disclosure provides for a feed stall and/orfor a rest station that, for the cow, is indistinguishable from existingfeed stalls and rest stations, and that provides a reliable,non-intimidating, non-startling application of a cooling spray that maybe optimized for the cow in several ways. The optimization may includesetting operation variables for the whole system and for individual cowstations, such as turn-on time, lengths and numbers of sprayingperiod(s) and off-interval(s), and maximum spraying per cow presence,and may take into account environmental variables including temperature,humidity, milking periods, veterinary inspection periods, wind speed,and the cows' gestational cycles.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The structure according to the present disclosure may provide a systemcapable of delivering a sequence of one or more soaking sprays at astation only when an animal is present at the station. The station maybe provided with a pressurized pipe supplying a liquid for the soakingspray. The system may include a valve configured to be coupled to thepipe and operable for controlling delivery of the soaking spray. Thesystem may further include a nozzle coupled to the valve. The nozzle maybe configured to deliver the soaking spray of the liquid from the pipeto the animal. The system may further include a control circuit coupledto the valve. The control circuit may be operable to determine thesequence of the soaking spray. The system may further include an animalsensor coupled to the control circuit and configured to detect thepresence of the animal at the station. The system may further include anenvironmental sensor providing at least one signal to the controlcircuit, wherein the soaking spray may be delivered to the animal at thestation in the determined sequence. The sequence for the soaking spraymay be determined at least in part by the signal or signals from theenvironmental sensor.

The station in the system may further include a first headlock hole foruse by a first animal and a second headlock hole for use by a secondanimal. The nozzle may be configured to provide the soaking spray to thefirst animal and to the second animal.

The system may further provide for the control circuit determining thatthe sequence includes an initial turn-on of the soaking spray withinabout 15 seconds of the animal sensor detecting the presence of theanimal at the station. The system may further provide for the controlcircuit determining that the sequence includes an initial on-cycle ofthe soaking spray, after the animal sensor detects the presence of thefirst animal at the station, wherein the initial on-cycle is betweenabout one-half minute and about three minutes. Alternatively, the systemmay provide for the control circuit determining that the sequenceincludes an initial on-cycle of the soaking spray, after the animalsensor detects the presence of the first animal at the station, whereinthe initial on-cycle is between about one minute and about threeminutes.

The system may further provide for the control circuit determining thatthe sequence includes, after the animal sensor detects the presence ofthe first animal at the station and after an initial on-cycle of thesoaking spray, an off-cycle of between about three minutes and aboutfifteen minutes. Alternatively, the system may provide for the controlcircuit determining that the sequence includes, after the animal sensordetects the presence of the first animal at the station and after aninitial on-cycle of the soaking spray, an off-cycle of between aboutfive minutes and about fifteen minutes.

The system may further provide for the control circuit determining thatthe sequence includes, while the animal sensor detects the presence ofthe animal at the station, multiple on-cycles and off-cycles. The systemmay further provide for the control circuit determining that thesequence includes an extended off-cycle after a predetermined number ofon-cycles while the animal sensor detects the presence of the animal atthe station.

The system may further provide for the environmental sensor to beconfigured to measure at least one of a temperature and a humidity andto provide the selected one of the temperature and the humidity in theat least one signal to the control circuit. Additionally, the system mayfurther provide for the environmental sensor to be configured to measureboth a temperature and a humidity and to provide two signals to thecontrol circuit indicating the temperature and the humidity. The systemmay further provide for the control circuit determining that thesequence includes no soaking spray when the at least one signal from theenvironmental sensor is outside a predetermined range.

The system may further provide for the environmental sensor to measure atemperature in a vicinity of the station and further provide for thecontrol circuit to determine the sequence to include an on-cycle for thesoaking spray that increases with the temperature. The system mayfurther provide for the environmental sensor to measure a temperature ina vicinity of the station and further provide for the control circuit todetermine the sequence to include an off-cycle for the soaking spraythat decreases with the temperature.

The system may further provide for the environmental sensor to measure ahumidity in a vicinity of the station and for the control circuit todetermine the sequence to include an off-cycle for the soaking spraythat increases with the humidity when the humidity is in a moderaterange. The system may further provide for the environmental sensor tomeasure a humidity in a vicinity of the station and for the controlcircuit to determine the sequence to include an off-cycle for thesoaking spray that decreases with the humidity when the humidity is in ahigh range. The system may further provide for the environmental sensorto measure a humidity in a vicinity of the station and for the controlcircuit to determine the sequence to include an on-cycle for the soakingspray that increases with the humidity when the humidity is in a highrange.

The station in the system may further provide for the station being afeeding station including a headlock unit, and the system may include abracket configured to couple the nozzle to the headlock unit.Alternatively, the nozzle may be coupled to an existing building columnor to another column, post, railing, etc., that may be added forpurposes that include mounting the nozzle. The system may furtherprovide for the station including a floor, with the animal sensorpositioned above the floor. The system may further provide for theanimal sensor including an ultrasonic sensing capability and/or ananimal RFID tag sensing capability and/or a mechanical sensingcapability.

A network of controlled piping may be coupled to a plurality of stationsand configured for selectively delivering a soaking spray at eachstation. The network may be configured for operating under control ofone or more signals developed adjacent the stations to deliver thesoaking spray to one or more animals.

The network may include a plurality of nozzles, with at least one nozzleat each station. Each nozzle may be configured to be coupled to the pipeand to deliver the soaking spray from the pipe to the animal. Thenetwork may further include a plurality of valves, and each valve may beoperably coupled to the piping and to at least one nozzle. Each valvemay be configured for controlling delivery of the soaking spray at oneof the stations.

The network may further include a control circuit coupled to theplurality of valves. The network may further include a plurality ofanimal sensors coupled to the control circuit, with at least one sensorat each station. Each animal sensor may be configured to detect thepresence of one of the animals at the station. The network may furtherinclude at least one environmental sensor providing at least one signalto the control circuit. The environmental sensor may be configured to bepositioned in the vicinity of at least one of the stations. The networkmay be configured to provide for the soaking spray to be delivered tothe animal at the station in a sequence determined at least in part bythe at least one signal from the environmental sensor.

The network may further provide for the control circuit to be operableto lock, in an off condition, a first portion of the plurality of valveswhile allowing a second portion of the plurality of valves to deliverthe soaking spray in accordance with the animal sensors andenvironmental sensors of the second portion of the plurality of valves.The network may further include an information-gathering unit coupled tothe control circuit, the transmitting unit operable to gather a set ofinformation about delivery of the soaking spray at the stations andanimal herd behavior at the stations for sending to a remote processingunit. The system may also be paired with, and gather information from,individual animal radio-frequency identification (RFID) units or systemsto track individual animal behavior, as well as herd behavior, at thestations.

Features, functions, and advantages may be achieved independently invarious embodiments of the present disclosure, or may be combined in yetother embodiments, further details of which can be seen with referenceto the following description and drawings. Advantages of the presentdisclosure will be more readily understood after considering thedrawings and the Detailed Description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a station in a system according to the presentdisclosure, including a pipe and a cooling unit coupled to the pipe, avalve coupled to the pipe, a nozzle coupled to the valve, a controlcircuit coupled to the valve and to an animal sensor, and a cow presentwith its head through a headlock to reach the feed at a feedline.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the pipe and cooling unit ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of a pipe with an alternative embodiment fora cooling unit coupled to the pipe, a valve coupled to the pipe, anozzle coupled to the valve, and a control circuit coupled to the valveand to an animal sensor.

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the pipe and cooling unit ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a network of cooling stations arranged insoaker groups with control circuits connected to an informationgathering unit, which is in turn connected to a remote processing unit.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a soaker group.

FIG. 7a is an overhead view of three stations in the system, eachstation having a cooling unit with a nozzle providing a spray patternconfigured to soak the back of one animal.

FIG. 7b is an overhead view of three stations in an alternativeembodiment of the system, where a cooling unit centered on one stationhas a nozzle providing a spray pattern configured to soak the back ofthe animal at a central station as well as at least a portion of theanimal at each station to the left and to the right of the centralstation.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of environmental sensors coupled over acommunications line to a group of soaker units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

As seen in FIG. 1, a system 20 may include multiple stations, such as astation 22 configured to provide a space S where an animal, such as acow C, may be present, e.g., in a standing condition. The system mayinclude a cooling unit 24 positioned to providing a soaking spray 26 tothe animal, e.g. to the back B of cow C. A piping network 28 may includeat each station a pipe 30, which may be pressurized to supply a liquid32, such as water, for soaking spray 26.

System 20 may include, e.g., at each station 22, a valve 34 configuredto be coupled to pipe 30. Valve 34 may be operable for controllingdelivery of soaking spray 26. Station 22 may include a nozzle 36 coupledto valve 34, typically through a channel that includes a filter 88.Filter 88 and cooling unit 24 preferably are configured such that thefilter may be removed and cleaned and/or replaced. Nozzle 36 may beconfigured to deliver soaking spray 26 of liquid 32 from pipe 30 to theanimal. For example, nozzle 36 may be constructed to provide spray 26over an arc of about 40° to cover the animal's back with liquid 32. Thenozzle structure may be selected to provide a shape and a width of thearc as best suited for a particular application and/or for a particularanimal type.

For example, as best seen in FIGS. 2-4, cooling unit 24 may be affixedto pipe 30. Pipe 30 may be in a support tray 90 and cooling unit 24 maybe held in place by one or more clamps 38, or any other suitable meansfor maintaining cooling unit 24 in place during repeated sequences ofspraying. Pipe 30 may be coupled to valve 34 through an opening 40 inpipe 30, for example by a watertight connection through a tube 42 tovalve 34, which allows the liquid to pass from pipe 30 to valve 34.Opening 40 may be at any suitable location on pipe 30, e.g., at the topof pipe 30 as in FIG. 4 or offset from the top as in FIG. 2.

System 20 may include, e.g., as part of cooling unit 24, a controlcircuit 44 coupled to valve 34. Control circuit 44 may be operable todetermine a sequence of the soaking spray.

System 20 may include an animal sensor, e.g., ultrasonic sensor 46,coupled to control circuit 44 and configured to detect the presence ofthe animal at the station. Alternatively or additionally, the animalsensor may include an RFID tag sensor for detecting the animal'spresence and/or identifying the particular animal at the station. Animalsensor 46 may be located at a lower portion 48 of a housing 50 forcontrol circuit 44. The animal sensor may include, e.g., as a backup toan ultrasonic and/or RFID sensor, a mechanical switch 66 (see FIG. 8) todetect the animal's presence. The mechanical switch may be of anysuitable type, e.g., a paddle switch that detects the animal's placingits head through a feeding headlock, or a treadle switch or pressuresensor on the floor of the feeding station.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, system 20 may include multiple stations 22.Multiple stations 22 may be grouped together, such as group 100 ofstations 22 a through 22 n. In the example of FIG. 5, there are fourstations but in practice any number may be in each group. System 20 mayinclude multiple groups of stations, e.g., the ten groups shown in FIG.5, and typically at least as many as 16 groups. System 20 may furtherinclude an environmental sensor 52 providing one or more signals 102 tothe control circuit 44 in one or more of stations 22. For example, afirst sensor 52 may provide signal(s) 102 to a first station 22 in onegroup of stations. The first station 22 may then provide signal(s) 102to the other stations in the group on a communication line 104. In FIG.5, this is illustrated for one of the groups and it will be understoodthat environmental sensors and communications may be provided for all ofthe groups.

Multiple environmental sensors may be used in the system, particularlywhere the soaker stations are spread out in different areas withdifferent environments, e.g., inside a barn and outside or the barn, or,in different areas of the barn with different environments, such as thesouth side of the barn and the north side of the barn. Environmentalsensors typically provide information about temperature and relativehumidity and any other useful measures of the environment, such as windspeed, UV radiation levels, and air pressure.

System 20, through operation of control circuit 44, pipe 30, valve 34,and nozzle 36 may deliver soaking spray 26 to the animal at the stationin a pre-determined sequence of one or more intervals of soaking sprayand to deliver the soaking spray only when an animal is present at thestation. Animal sensor 46 may provide the signal to the control circuitso that the control circuit may deliver the soaking spray only during ananimal's presence. The animal's presence may be determined by thecontrol circuit based on the signal from the animal sensor. For example,the control circuit may be operational to track a series of indicationsfrom the animal sensor and determine that an animal is present when theanimal sensor signal remains positive for at least about 10-20 seconds.

As shown in FIG. 7a , station 22 in system 20 may include a firstheadlock hole 54 a for use by a first animal, a second headlock hole 54b for use by a second animal, and a third headlock hole 54 c for use bya third animal. Each of nozzles 36 a-c may be configured to provide thesoaking spray to the animal in its station. Each of nozzles 36 a-cprovides a spray in a narrow pattern PN directed at just one animal. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 7a , nozzle 36 provides a wide spraypattern PW, which in this case is wide enough to wet the back of the cowdirectly below it and at least part (e.g., roughly one-half) of theanimals' backs on either side of it. In this configuration, one-half thenumber of cooling units are required to provide spray patterns coveringall of the cows along a feedline.

Control circuit 44 may be provided with suitable logic for determiningthe sequence, such as a microprocessor or a programmable logic array,programmed to receive inputs from the animal and environmental sensorsand to control the valve to provide the sequence of spraying. As oneexample, system 20 may provide for control circuit 44 determining thatthe sequence includes an initial turn-on of the soaking spray withinabout 15 seconds of animal sensor 46 detecting the presence of theanimal at station 22.

As another example, system 20 may provide for control circuit 44determining that the sequence includes an initial on-cycle of thesoaking spray, after animal sensor 46 detects the presence of the firstanimal at the station. The initial on-cycle may be any duration suitableto produce the desired cooling for the environmental conditions. Forexample, the initial on-cycle may be between about one-half minute andabout three minutes. Alternatively, the initial on-cycle may be betweenabout one minute and about three minutes.

Additionally, system 20 may provide for control circuit 44 determiningthat the sequence includes an initial off-cycle after the animal sensordetects the presence of the first animal at the station and after aninitial on-cycle of the soaking spray. The initial off-cycle may be ofany duration suitable to produce the desired cooling for theenvironmental conditions. As one example, the off-cycle may be betweenabout three minutes and about fifteen minutes. Alternatively, theoff-cycle may be between about five minutes and about fifteen minutes.Other durations for the initial on-cycle and off-cycle may be used asbest suited to conditions and desired outcome.

System 20 may provide for control circuit 44 determining that thesequence includes, while the animal sensor detects the presence of theanimal at the station, multiple on-cycles and off-cycles. Theseon-cycles and off-cycles may be of the same or different durations asthe initial on-cycle and off-cycle as best suited to the particularsituation. System 20 may provide for control circuit 44 determining thatthe sequence includes an extended off-cycle after a predetermined numberof on-cycles while the animal sensor detects the presence of the animalat the station.

As noted above, one or more environmental sensors 52 may be used, andthese are typically placed in the vicinity of one or more stations 22.E.g., as shown in FIG. 8, environmental sensor 52 a may be configured tomeasure an ambient temperature and environmental sensor 52 b may beconfigured to measure a humidity. Sensors 52 a, 52 b may be combined ina single unit or be separate devices. One or both of these sensors mayprovide a signal 102 to control circuit 44 in at least one station 22.Signal 102 may be directly communicated to multiple stations, as shownin dashed lines in FIG. 8, or to one station that transmits the signalto other stations, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 8. For example,sensor 52 may be a unit that measures both temperature and relativehumidity and then uses RS-485 connections and protocol to transmit thesignal to control circuit 44, which may also be capable of RS-485communication with the control circuit in other stations.

System 20 may provide for control circuit 44 to determine that thesequence includes no soaking spray for certain environmental conditions,e.g., when either or both of the temperature and humidity signals fromthe environmental sensor is/are outside a predetermined range. E.g., ifthe ambient temperature is already below the upper end of a rangeconsidered optimal for the cows, then no cooling spray will be provided.

System 20 may provide for control circuit 44 to determine the sequenceto include an on-cycle for the soaking spray that increases with thetemperature. To provide the on-cycle to increase with temperature, thecontrol circuit may use the ambient temperature received from theenvironmental sensor and determine a suitable on-cycle from a tablelookup, from a linear calculation, or by any other suitable algorithm.System 20 may provide for control circuit 44 to determine the sequenceto include an off-cycle for the soaking spray that decreases with thetemperature. Similar to the on-cycle calculation, the control circuitmay use the ambient temperature to determine the off-cycle by anysuitable algorithm.

System 20 may provide for control circuit 44 to determine the sequenceto include an off-cycle for the soaking spray that increases with thehumidity when the humidity is in a moderate range. System 20 may providefor control circuit 44 to determine the sequence to include an off-cyclefor the soaking spray that decreases with the humidity when the humidityis in a high range. To provide the off-cycle to increase with humidity,the control circuit may use the ambient humidity received from theenvironmental sensor and determine a suitable off-cycle from a tablelookup, from a linear calculation, or by any other suitable algorithm.System 20 may provide for control circuit 44 to determine the sequenceto include an on-cycle for the soaking spray that increases with thehumidity when the humidity is in a high range. Similar to the off-cyclecalculation, the control circuit may use the ambient humidity todetermine the off-cycle by any suitable algorithm.

Generally speaking, the control circuit may use temperature and/orhumidity to calculate on-cycles and off-cycles to optimize the effectivecooling of the sequences of soaking sprays. In the absence ofenvironmental sensors, or if the environmental sensors are not workingand/or not transmitting a signal to the control circuit, the controlcircuit may be programmed with default temperature and/or humidityvalues to use in determining the spraying sequence.

As shown in FIG. 1, station 22 may be a feeding station 60 including aheadlock unit 62, and the system may include a support, such as brace 64providing a fixed mount for cooling unit 24. Brace 64 may be configuredto be coupled to headlock unit 62 or to an existing building column orto another column, post, railing, etc., that may be added to the barn.

Control circuit 44 may include a set of status LEDs 68, which may bevisible externally to housing 50 (see FIG. 4). As an example, statusLEDs 68 may include an operational-status indicator, such as a green LEDthat flashes to indicate the system is powered and ready for operationto provide one or more sequences of soaking spray. Another LED mayindicate communication, e.g., lighting up red to indicate data sent andgreen indicate data received.

Another LED may indicate the status of the animal sensor, e.g., theultrasonic sensor. This LED may light up amber to indicate the sensorhas detected an object in its field of view.

The control circuit may be operational to determine whether an animal isremaining in the station, typically based on a series of indicationsfrom the animal sensor. When the control circuit determines that ananimal is present and likely to remain present for a feeding or coolingsession, then it may initiate a sequence and light another LED to soindicate. For example, a “cow presence” LED may provide a steady bluelight to indicate that the algorithm operable in the control circuit hasdetermined that a cow is present. The control circuit may also take intoaccount whether the temperature is within an acceptable range andwhether the solenoid/valve has been activated to spray the animal. Aflashing blue light may be provided to indicate the unit has completedthe spray portion of the spray cycle and the cow is still present andthe unit is prepared to enter the second and subsequent active sprayperiod.

In a spraying sequence during an animal's remaining in the station, theon-cycles and off-cycles may remain constant in duration, or mayincrease/decrease during the sequence. As an example of constantdurations, the initial on-cycle may be 2 minutes and the initialoff-cycle 13 minutes, with these on-cycles and off-cycles repeating aslong as the animal remains in the station. As an example of variablecycles during a sequence, the ratio of the on-cycle to the off-cycle mayincrease during the sequence. For example, the on-cycle may start at 13%of the combined cycles, i.e., 2 minutes out of 15 minutes, as describedabove. Then the next on-cycle may be 25% of the combined cycle, then40%, and then 65%.

Typically, the system will treat an animal who enters the station andstarts a cooling session and then leaves and re-enters the station, as anew animal. In this case the system re-starts the spraying sequence atthe beginning. If an animal is detected as remaining in a station longerthan a set duration, e.g., for more than four on-off cycles, the controlcircuit may interrupt the sequence. The interruption may be for a setperiod or until the animal is detected as leaving the station, and thena spraying sequence may start on an animal's entering the station.

Station 22 may include a floor 70, with animal sensor 46 positionedabove floor 70. Stations 22 may get power for operation from a powersource 72, such as a 24 V_(AC) line 106.

As shown in FIG. 5, network 80 that controls piping 28 may be coupled toa plurality of stations 22 and configured for selectively delivering asoaking spray at each station. Network 80 may be configured foroperating under control of one or more signals developed adjacentstations 22 to deliver the soaking spray to one or more animals. Eachstation 22 may be configured as described above or one or more may bedifferently configured for additional purposes, e.g., as a cooling reststation without being used for feeding.

Network 80 may include a plurality of nozzles 36, with at least onenozzle at each station 22. Alternatively, nozzles 36 may provide a sprayto cover more than one station, as shown in FIG. 7b . Each nozzle 36 maybe configured to be coupled to pipe 30 and to deliver the soaking sprayfrom pipe 30 to the animal. Network 80 may further include a pluralityof valves 34, and each valve may be operably coupled to the piping andto at least one nozzle. Each valve 34 may be configured for controllingdelivery of the soaking spray at one of the stations.

Network 80 may further include one or more control circuits 44 coupledto the plurality of valves. Network 80 may further include a pluralityof animal sensors 52 coupled to control circuit 44, typically with atleast one animal sensor 52 at each station 22. Each animal sensor may beconfigured to detect the presence of one of the animals at the stationand to signal the presence to control circuit 44. Network 80 may includeat least one environmental sensor 52 providing at least one signal tocontrol circuit 44. Environmental sensor 52 may be configured to bepositioned in the vicinity of at least one of the stations. Network 80may be configured to provide for the soaking spray to be delivered tothe animal at the station in a sequence determined at least in part bythe at least one signal from the environmental sensor.

Network 80 may further provide for control circuit 44 to be operable tolock, in an off condition, a first portion of the plurality of valveswhile allowing a second portion of the plurality of valves to deliverthe soaking spray in accordance with the animal sensors andenvironmental sensors of the second portion of the plurality of valves.

Network 80 may further include an information-gathering/controlling unit84 coupled to control circuit 44 in station 22. For example, acommunication line 82 may be coupled between the control circuit of atleast one station in each group of stations, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.Information-gathering unit 84 may be operable to gather a set ofinformation about delivery of the soaking spray at the stations forsending to a remote processing unit 86. As described above, controlcircuit 44 determines the spraying patters, and this may be augmented orreplaced by control in the information-gathering/controlling unit.

The information gathered by unit 84, which may be passed on to remoteprocessing unit 86 for presentation to a farmer, may include informationabout animal behavior at the feeding station. This information mayinclude the lengths of time the animals remain at the stations, as wellas reports on how many are staying long enough, and/or too long.

The information may also include the amount of water used in sprayingsequences, which in turn may be used in calculating and reporting howmuch water is saved compared to a previous system. Reducing waterreduces the cost of spraying as well as reducing the amount of oversprayreaching the feed. The information may also include records of whichheadlocks are used and not used and may alert the farmer to an animalremaining to long, which may indicate a problem such as the animal beingstuck. If the animals are carrying RFID tags, e.g., on a collar or eartag, or embedded, the information may be specified for that animal. Ifthe animals are not uniquely identified at the station, the informationmay also be used for analyzing herd behavior.

It is believed that the disclosure set forth herein encompasses multipledistinct inventions with independent utility. While each of theseinventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specificembodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to beconsidered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. Tothe extent that section headings are used within this disclosure, suchheadings are for organizational purposes only, and do not constitute acharacterization of any claimed invention. Each example defines anembodiment disclosed in the foregoing disclosure, but any one exampledoes not necessarily encompass all features or combinations that may beeventually claimed. The following claims particularly point out certaincombinations and subcombinations regarded as novel and nonobvious.Invention(s) embodied in other combinations and subcombinations offeatures, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed inapplications claiming priority from this or a related application. Suchclaims, whether directed to a different invention or to the sameinvention, and whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scopeto the original claims, also are regarded as included within the subjectmatter of the invention(s) of the present disclosure. Where thedescription recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof,such description includes one or more such elements, neither requiringnor excluding two or more such elements. Further, ordinal indicators,such as first, second or third, for identified elements are used todistinguish between the elements, and do not indicate a required orlimited number of such elements, and do not indicate a particularposition or order of such elements unless otherwise specifically stated.

We claim:
 1. A system for delivering a sequence of one or more soakingsprays at a station only when a first animal is present at the stationand wherein the station is provided with a pressurized pipe supplying aliquid for the soaking spray, the system comprising: a. a valveconfigured to be coupled to the pipe and operable for controllingdelivery of the soaking spray; b. a nozzle coupled to the valve, thenozzle configured to deliver the soaking spray of the liquid from thepipe to the animal; c. a control circuit coupled to the valve, thecontrol circuit operable to determine the sequence of the soaking spray;d. an animal sensor coupled to the control circuit and configured todetect the presence of the first animal at the station; and e. anenvironmental sensor providing at least one signal to the controlcircuit, wherein the soaking spray is delivered to the animal at thestation in the sequence, wherein the sequence for the soaking spray isdetermined at least in part by the at least one signal from theenvironmental sensor.
 2. The system of claim 1 for use with the station,wherein the station includes a first headlock hole for use by the firstanimal and a second headlock hole for use by a second animal, whereinthe nozzle is configured to provide the soaking spray to the firstanimal and to the second animal.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein thecontrol circuit is operable to determine the sequence to include aninitial turn-on of the soaking spray within about 15 seconds of theanimal sensor detecting the presence of the first animal at the station.4. The system of claim 1 wherein the control circuit is operable todetermine the sequence to include an initial on-cycle of the soakingspray, after the animal sensor detects the presence of the first animalat the station, wherein the initial on-cycle is between about one-halfminute and about three minutes.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein thecontrol circuit is operable to determine the sequence to include aninitial on-cycle of the soaking spray, after the animal sensor detectsthe presence of the first animal at the station, wherein the initialon-cycle is between about one minute and about three minutes.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the control circuit is operable to determinethe sequence to include, after the animal sensor detects the presence ofthe first animal at the station and after an initial on-cycle of thesoaking spray, an off-cycle of between about three minutes and aboutfifteen minutes.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the control circuit isoperable to determine the sequence to include, after the animal sensordetects the presence of the first animal at the station and after aninitial on-cycle of the soaking spray, an off-cycle of between aboutfive minutes and about fifteen minutes.
 8. The system of claim 1 whereinthe control circuit is operable to determine the sequence to include,while the animal sensor detects the presence of the first animal at thestation, a plurality of on-cycles and off-cycles.
 9. The system of claim8 wherein the control system is operable to determine the sequence toinclude an extended off-cycle after a predetermined number of on-cycleswhile the animal sensor detects the presence of the first animal at thestation.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the environmental sensor isconfigured to measure at least one of a temperature and a humidity andto provide the selected one of the temperature and the humidity in theat least one signal to the control circuit.
 11. The system of claim 1wherein the environmental sensor is configured to measure both atemperature and a humidity and to provide two signals to the controlcircuit indicating the temperature and the humidity.
 12. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the control circuit determines the sequence to includeno soaking spray when the at least one signal from the environmentalsensor is outside a predetermined range.
 13. The system of claim 1wherein the environmental sensor measures a temperature in a vicinity ofthe station and wherein the control circuit determines the sequence toinclude an on-cycle for the soaking spray that increases with thetemperature.
 14. The system of claim 1 wherein the environmental sensormeasures a temperature in a vicinity of the station and wherein thecontrol circuit determines the sequence to include an off-cycle for thesoaking spray that decreases with the temperature.
 15. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the environmental sensor measures a humidity in avicinity of the station and wherein the control circuit determines thesequence to include an off-cycle for the soaking spray that increaseswith the humidity when the humidity is in a moderate range.
 16. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the environmental sensor measures a humidityin a vicinity of the station and wherein the control circuit determinesthe sequence to include an off-cycle for the soaking spray thatdecreases with the humidity when the humidity is in a high range. 17.The system of claim 1 wherein the environmental sensor measures ahumidity in a vicinity of the station and wherein the control circuitdetermines the sequence to include an on-cycle for the soaking spraythat increases with the humidity when the humidity is in a high range.18. The system of claim 1 for use with the station, wherein the stationis a feeding station including a headlock unit, wherein the systemfurther comprises a bracket configured to couple the nozzle to theheadlock unit.
 19. The system of claim 1 further comprising a mechanicalswitch coupled to the valve and operable to detect the presence of thefirst animal at the station.
 20. The system of claim 1 for use with thestation wherein the station includes a floor, and further wherein theanimal sensor is positioned above the floor.
 21. The system of claim 1wherein the animal sensor includes an ultrasonic sensing capability. 22.A network of controlled piping coupled to a plurality of stations, thenetwork configured for selectively delivering a soaking spray at eachstation, the network configured for operating under control of one ormore signals developed adjacent the stations to deliver the soakingspray to one or more animals, the network comprising: a. a plurality ofnozzles, at least one nozzle at each station, each nozzle configured tobe coupled to the pipe and to deliver the soaking spray from the pipe tothe animal; b. a plurality of valves, each valve operably coupled to thepiping and to at least one nozzle, each valve configured for controllingdelivery of the soaking spray at one of the stations; c. a controlcircuit coupled to the plurality of valves; d. a plurality of animalsensors coupled to the control circuit, at least one sensor at eachstation, each animal sensor configured to detect the presence of one ofthe animals at the station; and e. at least one environmental sensorproviding at least one signal to the control circuit, the environmentalsensor configured to be positioned in the vicinity of at least one ofthe stations, the soaking spray is delivered to the animal at thestation in a sequence determined at least in part by the at least onesignal from the environmental sensor.
 23. The network of claim 22wherein the control circuit is operable to lock in an off condition afirst portion of the plurality of valves while allowing a second portionof the plurality of valves to deliver the soaking spray in accordancewith the animal sensors and environmental sensors of the second portionof the plurality of valves.
 24. The network of claim 22 furthercomprising an information-gathering unit coupled to the control circuit,the transmitting unit operable to gather a set of information aboutdelivery of the soaking spray at the stations for sending to a remoteprocessing unit.